Celebrating the New Normal

A New Friend, New Caring

Siang Be, a new friend from my last brief stay in Station 51 due to a fever episode, is just beginning his battle against mantle-cell lymphoma and will have as much support and encouragement along the way as Detlef and I can possibly muster for him.
His wife Steffi will enjoy that support, too, and we will share all that those who have been down such a road are unique in being able to give to others just entering such uncharted territory.
There is a special solidarity possible among "patients"; a nod, a smile, a little shake of the head is enough between us, because we know this "dark cloud" from the inside, know therefore HOW MUCH LIGHT there is inside that supposed darkness.
Siang will be beginning his chemo today, and I am simply calling upon everyone who read's this to think of him and his wife - they are two REAL people! - and wish them strength and healing. They needn't know you; you needn't know them: just send positive vibrations into room 13 of Station 51 of RVK so that he can achieve the cure I have achieved due to the successful beginning of my fight in precisely that same Station!
YOU CAN BEAT THIS, SIANG! HANG IN THERE, STEFFI! WE ARE THERE FOR BOTH OF YOU!

Hiddensee Beauty for New Stem Cells

Fog, sun, cool, great air, good feelings, simply wonderful!

Toot, Toot

Choo choo train, bouncy bus, puff puff boat ... and then tomorrow all the engine noises will stop and there will be the island
with only the sounds of horses and bicycles, waves and wind, rustling leaves and joyful birds, and even our own voices will become quieter.
To wake up, there is always the triple horn blast of the first ferry out, and at this time of the year, sunsets are early enough for us to see every one of them before dinner.
It's going to be great!

Charia Hebdo Mon Amour ...

Glad now to be a regular subscriber, the "front pages" of the first two issues I have received (starting by my special request with the controversial one from last week that led to the arson and destruction of Charlie's offices).

MERCI BIEN, CHARLIE !   Satire à plus forte raison !

SUPPORT CHARLIE HEBDO !

Pourquoi il faut soutenir "Charlie Hebdo"

When fundamentalists set fire to the premises of ANY organ of the press, it is time for ALL of us to stand up in defence of freedom of the press, freedom of expression, freedom of thought and CONDEMN those who try to burn caricatures, words, or pictures they may dislike.

CHARLIE HEBDO deserves the support of all free-thinking people everywhere!

Charlie hebdo deviens Charia hebdo von La_liberte_dexpression

Even the New York Times found space to report about this atrocious attack on freedom of expression. I have now subscribed to the satirical weekly I have so long enjoyed to show some form of practical solidarity myself. You can, too, online with this link to Charlie Hebdo's subscription service and shop.

Hiddensee this year, too!

What a dream is about to come true for us this year...

We are going to make it to Hiddensee for 6 nights!

How often did I look at that water tower outside my window in the KMT-Unit (left) and fantasize that it was the lighthouse at Hiddensee (right), and now I have the medical permission to go, Detlef has vacation days approved for the trip, the train tickets are booked, the schedules for the ferry in hand, and our hosts Gerd & Dorina there are looking forward to welcoming us to the vacation house we've been to every year since we met.

HIDDENSEE, one of the most wonderful islands in the world; and it will be the only vacation we've been able to have out of town this whole year!

We are a lucky couple in love!